Hitching a Ride to Tampa

May 1972

My sister Cindy was visiting a friend in Tampa, so I hitched a ride to Tampa in order to visit her. I was getting better with witnessing (telling people about Jesus) because from time to time Ray and I use to go out witnessing together so I was quickly getting the hang of it.

Hitchhiking in the early 70s was not too difficult and a lot of young people did it. It usually took about 15 minutes to an hour before somebody would pick me up. On my ride to Tampa I was picked up by a guy my age who seemed to be a nice enough fellow, so as our conversation went, I looked for opportunity to talk about Jesus. The opportunity hit and when he realized the subject we were on he said, "I don't need that stuff." In return I asked him what he was looking for in life. He said, "Peace." Now most of you will know where this goes. "Jesus can give that to you," I told him.

In witnessing there is something far more important and far deeper than being good at talking and answering. That something is the Holy Spirit drawing one to Christ. One writer called God the Hound of Heaven because the Holy Spirit of God pursues and draws people to Christ. I cannot for the life of me do the work the Holy Spirit does. I cannot give people the conviction and the hunger needed to bring somebody to a new life in Christ. Only God can do that.

With the few words I shared with the driver, I saw the transformation - his combative defense turned immediately. He was hungry to know all about Jesus... so much so that he drove me to my sister's place and hung out for awhile.

The problem was this: Even though he was hungry I didn't ask him the basic question, "Would you like to give your life to Christ?" Why not? I had not yet learned when people are ready to be asked that question. In fact, it was only after I reflected on that night that I realized that he was ready and willing, and all I had to do is ask him if he would like to make that decision.

Are you ready?